University Professorship (W3) Intelligent Reconfigurable Production Machines

University Professorship (W3) Intelligent Reconfigurable Production Machines

Organizational unit

Division III – Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Institute of Production Science (WBK), KIT Department of Mechanical Engineering

Production technology is one of the central pillars of industrial value creation in Europe, and pioneer for increasing the sustainability of our business activities. The successful industrialization of key technologies for energy storage and conversion as well as of mobility systems in a high-wage country requires efficient, automated production of components and systems.

Work covered by the Professorship for Intelligent Reconfigurable Production Machines interfaces robotics and classical, specialized machine tools. Corresponding research should focus on the potential of smart controls for the flexible combination of actuators, effectors, and sensors by reconfigurable kinematic systems. This will play an important role in future production systems particularly in the automation of immature production processes in e.g. electric mobility.

Within its three research groups of Intelligent Machines and Components, Agile Production Systems, and Automation of Immature Processes, the Institute of Production Science (wbk) is making significant contributions to the KIT Centers of Mobility Systems and Energy as well as to the emerging field of circular economy. Moreover, the Professorship is involved in the Post-Lithium Storage Cluster of Excellence (POLiS), the Helmholtz Program Materials and Technologies for the Energy Transition (MTET), and the collaborative research center 1574 Circular Factory for the Perpetual Product. On the basis of this fundamental research, numerous joint application-related projects with industry are to be acquired, paving the way for a sustainable and innovative future.

The future holder of the professorship will be a Member of the Board of the wbk Institute of Production Science and head the research department of Machines, Equipment, and Process Automation which presently includes the three research groups above. The post will also be associated with the direction of the Karlsruhe Research Factory for AI-integrated Production and the operation of the test benches there. The professor is also responsible for production research at KIT’s Battery Technology Center.

Innovations in the field of production science in close cooperation with companies to support national industry are also a task of the professorship. By implementing innovations together with partners, the gap between theory and application is bridged.

The person we are looking for has an international reputation in research relating to intelligent reconfigurable production machines. The professorship will build a bridge between manufacturing and materials technology and production systems and will represent the area of machines, equipment, and process automation in academic education. Candidates are expected to apply modern teaching formats and concepts in German and English for the core lectures on production engineering in the Bachelor’s and Master’s Programs of Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics and Information Technology as well as Business Engineering. These include the current lectures on Automatisierte Produktionsanlagen (automated production facilities), Werkzeugmaschinen und hochpräzise Fertigungssysteme (machine tools and highly precise fabrication systems), Produktionstechnik für die Elektromobilität (production technology for electric mobility), and Künstliche Intelligenz in der Produktion (artificial intelligence in production).

Activities will be complemented by academic education in English and continuing education tasks at KIT’s HECTOR School. Teaching activities should be rounded off by research-based courses on intelligent reconfigurable production machines. The future holder of the post will pursue university responsibilities with a teaching obligation of 9 hours per week per semester.

We are looking for a person who has already made major and visible contributions in the area of production technology. Several years of managing experience in industry, including staff management, are essential. International work experience would be advantageous. The future holder of the post should be willing to cooperate across disciplines within and outside of KIT and to actively acquire public and private third-party funding.

Apart from fulfilling civil service requirements, candidates should have completed university studies and possess pedagogic aptitude, didactic skills, and a high scientific qualification as proved by a doctorate, habilitation, or equivalent achievements.

Employment is subject to Art. 14, par. (2) of the KIT Act in conjunction with Art. 47 LHG Baden-Württemberg (Act of Baden-Württemberg on Universities and Colleges).

Application up to: January 07, 2025

Contact person in line-management

For further information, please contact Professor Dr.-Ing. Kai Furmans, phone: +49 721 608- 48600.

Application Process

Please mail your application with the relevant documents:

• Documents on previous research and teaching activities (including list of publications), and
• Documents on three high-impact contributions in the areas of research, academic education, or innovation.

Preferably as a single PDF file, to Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Division III – Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Division Head Professor h.c. Dr.-Ing. Joachim Knebel, KIT Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kaiserstr. 12, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany, email:

Vacancy number: 1374/2024

We wish to recruit new staff (female/male/non-binary) as homogeneously as possible and, hence, strongly encourage qualified women to apply. Recognized severely disabled persons will be preferred if they are equally qualified. As a family-friendly university, KIT offers part-time employment, leaves of absence, a dual career service, and coaching to support the work-life balance.

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